Car Bike Racks?

How To Take Your Bike Using Car Bike Racks?

There are many different ways of carrying your bike on your car; there are many different types of cars, so there are many different rack options to take your bike away on trips in your car.

On top or behind?

The first thing to do is inspect your car for the possibility of fitting a roof rack, many cars now don’t have gutters, but do have special groves on the roof so it is possible to fit a rack.

If in doubt ask at the main dealer of your car maker, they will probably try to sell you there specially made rack, but have a good look at other rack makers (Thule, Yakima, Hollywood, Saris, etc.) as they probably make the one for your car a lot cheaper.

So if you have decided to put your bike on the roof then there are many different ways to do it, the bike can be upright with the front wheel in or out or up-side-down with the wheels in or out.

Behind the car or truck

All vehicles can now take a boot rack that goes behind the car or truck, with a car it clips on the boot or hatch and can take up to 4 bikes.

With a people carrier or camper, the rack is similar but more upright and if you have a spare tire on the back door you can buy a rack that clamps to the wheel and then the bikes clamp to the rack.

Pickup trucks can have bike carriers fitted to the flatbed on the back, just like a rifle rack.

Tow ball racks

If you have a tow ball on your vehicle then one of the best ways to carry your bike is with a carrier that fits on the tow bracket, this is a very strong attachment that also protects your bike from the buffeting wind as you drive. If you are mountain biking its always best to keep your muddy bike away from your car and this does this perfectly.